Office of Early Care and Education outlines Baby Prop C spending plan and reserves

The Office of Early Care and Education (OECE) presented its initial spending priorities for Baby Prop C funds on June 23, describing a multi-year plan to expand access, build facilities, and invest in workforce compensation.

Ingrid Mesquita, director of OECE, told the Budget and Appropriations Committee the office has three priorities that align with the ballot measure: (1) expand access to high-quality free and affordable early care and education with supports for low- and moderate-income families; (2) finance infrastructure and facility capacity to reduce wait lists for infants and toddlers; and (3) invest in workforce compensation and training to build and retain early-educator staff. Mesquita said next fiscal year the office plans $185,800,000 to begin implementation and $162,900,000 in the following year; about $300,000,000 remains in reserve to support a thorough community-engaged strategic planning process.

Supervisor Melgar asked whether unprogrammed funds could be placed in committee reserves for Board input during strategic planning; Mesquita said she would defer on reserving authority and recommended further engagement with the mayor’s office and Board staff to determine the mechanism. The committee agreed to work with OECE and community partners on planning and oversight.

HSA and OECE staff also said that Family Resource Center investments initially proposed to come from Baby Prop C will instead be funded from the general fund, allowing Baby Prop C to focus on child-care expansion.